No Singular Way: Developing More Complex Conceptions of Religion Following Professional Development About Religious Diversity

• In Event: Teachers, Religion, Faith Formation: Private and Public Schools

Abstract

Common conceptions of religion are often oversimplified and biased, and teachers are not exempt from these ways of thinking. And, although educators are held responsible for instilling positive orientations towards pluralism and fostering engaged citizenship, there has been little attention to teachers’ conceptual understanding of religion. This paper presents findings from two measures of conceptions of religion. After visiting houses of worship and engaging with guest speakers during professional development courses about religious diversity, participants demonstrated more sophisticated conceptual understandings of religion. While considerably more research on this topic is needed, this evidence that even brief encounters with religious diversity can result in more complex conceptions of religion is promising for future professional development initiatives.

Author

• Kate Soules, Religion & Education Collaborative